Why China is angry with the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, one of the most important Buddhist leaders in the world is on a visit to the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and his presence there is making China very, very angry. India’s neighbour has been threatening action against India for allowing the Dalai Lama into an area that China is claiming as its own.

The Dalai Lama is the head of the Tibetan Buddhists. Many years ago, when China took over Tibet, he escaped to India and he and his followers live in Himachal Pradesh. China would like the world to forget that Tibet was once an independent country and therefore considers the Dalai Lama its enemy.

China and India share an uneasy (not so good) relationship. China claims that part of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to it but naturally India does not believe this. Therefore the Dalai Lama’s visit to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, which is very close to Tibet, has angered China. China has been threatening India with action unless India stopped the Dalai Lama but India has allowed him to travel to Tawang. It’s not clear what kind of action China will take but clearly India and China won’t be celebrating ‘Friendship Day’ any time soon.